Speeds........ Aargh!

[CMDRDAVE]

We have 5 dealerships plus RAM in this area that service Ducs.  Sure, 3 of the dealers suck.  I live in Alexandria and have to ride 25+ miles to get to a good one.  Still, the fact is there are three good options (Duc Pond, Battley and RAM) in this region.  It could be a whole lot worse.

Hampton Roads for example, we only have 1 dealership and they suck.  I have had to make the 4 hour run to Duc Pond before.

[mraff]

Hampton Roads for example, we only have 1 dealership and they suck.  I have had to make the 4 hour run to Duc Pond before.

Perhaps I'm being greedy in wanting my local dealer to provide both quality work and an enjoyable customer experience. Then again, I'm the customer and I'm always right!  The thing that gets me the most, in 4 years of riding in Germany, I frequented 3 different Ducati dealerships between Frankfurt, Russelsheim and my local dealer in Nussloch. All of them knew from the get go that I wasn't going to be a bike purchase customer as Ducati in Germany can't sell a U.S. spec Ducati. However; they all provided me excellent customer service, advice and maintenance support on my S4R, despite my completely incompetent command of the German language. I, a foreigner,  was never treated as if I, a potential customer or even just  a fellow motorhead, was a bother or some sort of inconvenience that had to be endured.

[Bun-bun]

Hampton Roads for example, we only have 1 dealership and they suck.  I have had to make the 4 hour run to Duc Pond before.

They don't suck, they just don't like you, Dave.

[CMDRDAVE]

They don't suck, they just don't like you, Dave.

Oh yea, check out the posts on 757 sportbikes and south side hampton roads sportbikes.

[angler]

Nothing good to say here either.  Took it there for my bike's late 6k service right after I bought it.  The botched some minor things, but still irked me given the check I cut.  I also tried to talk to someone (anyone) about re-springing my bike and couldn't get any traction.  It always annoys me when I try to give retail establishments my money and they ignore it.  Last time I was in there looking for boots while they fixed some of the things they f'ed up, I watched the owner cuss out everyone in the shop and fire one guy.  He actually interrupted the guy trying to sell me a pair of boots to cuss him out.  I bailed without spending a dime.......

[Lars D]

Wow, I have actually had good luck there as far as service goes. I have had them perform repairs and they had the work done ahead of time so I was very pleased .

Actually the only bad thing I've heard was from  a forum member who purchased some pricey sparkplugs.

I would have stayed to see everyone get cussed out and then purchased the boots .

So ,please keep everyone up to date with your bike as to where it gets fixed.

[angler]

Wow, I have actually had good luck there as far as service goes. I have had them perform repairs and they had the work done ahead of time so I was very pleased .

Actually the only bad thing I've heard was from  a forum member who purchased some pricey sparkplugs.

I would have stayed to see everyone get cussed out and then purchased the boots .

So ,please keep everyone up to date with your bike as to where it gets fixed.

Lost track of this thread.  I had it resprung at DucPond and I have been doing the minor stuff myself (exhaust, oil, tail chop, hiding electrical, about to swap out the front end for SBK).  They are a great shop, but a real haul from my house.  Will likely be doing all my own service from here on out.  I usually do my own service, but was really busy last year, new to Ducatis, and didn't really have a place to work on the bike.  I buy all my parts and gear online.

I really want to like Speed's, but they make it hard. I called them about my swelling tank and got no love.  I've called them looking for this part or that part and been so annoyed by the phone transaction that I gave up.

About the cuss out - it is extremely bad form to disrespect your employees in front of customers.  It makes the mgr and the establishment look like idiots.  To interrupt a sale to harangue an employee, that is just retarded.  I really wanted the boots and was getting good service from their up front guy, but I will not reward that kind of behavior.

[RavnMonster]

Nothing good to say here either.  Took it there for my bike's late 6k service right after I bought it.  The botched some minor things, but still irked me given the check I cut.  I also tried to talk to someone (anyone) about re-springing my bike and couldn't get any traction.  It always annoys me when I try to give retail establishments my money and they ignore it.  Last time I was in there looking for boots while they fixed some of the things they f'ed up, I watched the owner cuss out everyone in the shop and fire one guy.  He actually interrupted the guy trying to sell me a pair of boots to cuss him out.  I bailed without spending a dime.......

wow, but i believe it, Speeds is the only shop close by and they know it.

they actually called my two days ago because they undercharged me by $40 on my 7500K service.  I told them I'd call them back.  Ill give them their money but ill take my time doing it.  They took their time getting my bike back to me thats for sure.

[zooom]

they actually called my two days ago because they undercharged me by $40 on my 7500K service.  I told them I'd call them back.  Ill give them their money but ill take my time doing it.  They took their time getting my bike back to me thats for sure.

too bad...tell em to pound sand!...what is their "accounting" for this undercharge?...and how long or how much time passed between then and the call?...tell em to chalk it up to getting it right the 1st time....and not just in the money realm but in servicing too...

[angler]

+1 on the pound sand response.  They didn't give any of my money back for the things they f'ed.  A bit of a one way street......

[RavnMonster]

too bad...tell em to pound sand!...what is their "accounting" for this undercharge?...and how long or how much time passed between then and the call?...tell em to chalk it up to getting it right the 1st time....and not just in the money realm but in servicing too...

Its been at least 3 weeks. I cant believe they actually called to get it from me. $1300+ in service (including 2 tires) and they want $40 bucks more.  The only thing I dont want to happen is if the owner puts it on the guy who rang me up and takes it out of his pay or something like that.. Oh..and I may need to go back there for something too.. What do you guys think?

[zooom]

where do you live?....I think "there are OTHER dealers out there that are more than happy to do the right thing in earning your business" even if they aren't as conveneitn or as close and Speeds may in fact be to you....aside from belt change/valve adjustments, what can you personally not do yourself that the bike might need? I am sure there are other shops that are willing to do tire changes and stuff that is basic and if you need specialty work...well....you may have to drive a distance...hell, look at Statler, who for years was a big defender of Speeds, and has now decided it is fully worth it to drive over 2 hours to have a completely different dealer no where nearby do both his and his wife's bikes....and you have OldDucker who has mentioned MikMar and of course you go up to Philly area for Ferracci....so, there are options!...you are a customer who has free will to go where you and your dollar are appreciated.

[Statler]

The MOST I would expect from them in that scenario is a polite email saying they goofed on the bill and that they hope you are happy with the service and that the $40 is on them and they hope you will continue to be a loyal customer.

If that happened I'd go in with two twenties and a six-pack of their favorite.

A call to ask for 40 more bucks on a $1,300 bill from three weeks ago is outrageous.   

I'm torn.   I think I'd give it to them and very nicely and politely tell them it is the last money they will get from you or anyone you know.  Like sickenly sweet politely.    With a kind explanation that what you are worried about is the $40 coming out of the pocket of whoever miss-punched the computer key, and it's the management decision to call you and handle it that way versus the one guy's simple mistake that is making you go elsewhere.

I'm tempted to give Joe a call and let him know that while I know very little details, the shop calling someone to ask for $40 because they misbilled the service is going to cost them thousands in service work over time....but I'll stay out of it.

[angler]

+1 for Statler's post.

To go back to a loyal customer for $40 (3 friggin' percent of the bill!!!) is just stoopid.  I want to like this shop for a number of reasons, but it is like the owner took a "how to provide good customer service" class and has decided to do exactly the opposite.

[potomacduc]

I have been to Speed's twice, both instances I was looking to spend money.  I could not get the time of day from anyone there, either time.  Compared to many my Duc habit is modest and I'm not a big spender, but I have owned three Ducs and I have spent thousands of dollars at other dealerships  and shops in the area and on-line.  If Speed's doesn't want my money, make the beast with two backs 'em.  I'm really not sure why anyone still goes there.